Carb (float bowl) gasket

Just dismantled my carbs. There is some fine red crap in the float bowls (rust from the tank?) and lumps of the old sub air filter laying around but no varnish build up or anything like that and better than I was expecting to be honest. However the gasket between the float bowl and the carb body, although intact, looks worse for wear with cracking etc. I thought to myself not a problem - pick up some new ones... however they are not cheap - about £90 on lings for a pair! So I'm wondering is it worth using some sort of gasket sealant in combination with the existing gaskets? Any one have any experience of carb gasket sealant or is it a big no no?

The gaskets are expensive as they're designed to resist petrol, which normal rubber isn't good at. I hope your £10 ones are OK, but I have a feeling you may come to regret them.

Perosnally I'd buy the genuine ones, knowing they'll last another 15-20 years.

As for sealant, if you use it, just put the thinnest of smears on each face. Loose bits of sealant floating around can easily stop the float valve working. And check the sealant is suitable for use with petrol.